Changes to the British Library Document Supply Service

Over the past two years the British Library has been developing a new service, at a cost of £6m. This has been jointly funded by the British Library and the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE). The new British Library Document Supply Service (BLDSS) will replace the current technology to provide a more efficient service.

The main changes are that the new BLDSS will provide higher quality copies. Photocopies will be supplied in an A4 stapled booklet format. Articles supplied electronically will be sent from noreply@bldss.bl.uk. Please ensure that you do not treat these messages as spam. Items supplied for loan by the British Library will have a standard loan period of five weeks and will not be recalled during this time. It is important that items are returned promptly to the library or you may be charged for the cost of the renewal of the item, which is a charge imposed by the British Library.

Initially there will be a period when the British Library will be running a dual system. The British Library will not allow us to renew items that have been loaned on their old system and these items should be returned on the date given. If you still require the item, please submit another interlibrary request. It is also possible that you may still receive articles supplied electronically from archie@bl.uk.